Reviews

June, 2008
Sharon Reinwald
Chicago, IL

Your book was amazing! It was intriguing and heart wrenching beyond words. Your (as well as your husband's) compassion, patience, and love for Gabrielle was a blessing!! WHAT AN AMAZING STORY!! YOU ARE WONDERFUL...

October, 2007
Alyse Wax
Blogcritics Magazine

Hanna and Rachel author alternating chapters of Beyond These Walls. This offers unique insight into Hanna's condition. Rachel describes her methods and how they differ from therapists before her. She describes the challenges she faced in trying to gain the trust of "the system" and convince them not to die, to stop burning and cutting, to start eating and sleeping regularly, and teach them that they were not to blame for the abuse. Hanna describes what was going on with the different personalities, giving an "insider account." Unlike many memoirs, this one isn't whiny or have a "woe is me" aspect woven throughout it. It is matter-of-fact without losing emotion.

Beyond These Walls is a fascinating account of a fascinating affliction. It takes a strong stomach to read the accounts of abuse, but the successful integration of Hanna's fractured personalities into one whole psyche is a worthwhile journey.

July, 2007
Cathleen McGrath

Beyond These Walls presents the story of a young woman who embodies 26 personalities. The story captivates from the introductory phone call Hanna Gabriel made to therapist Rachel Gunner until the final good bye of each alter personality...With this book emerge the complex set of responsibilities a therapist must undertake; trusting the patient, using imagination to examine situations from several perspectives, and commitment to the belief in a patients ability to reach solid ground.

January, 2007
Midwest Book Review

Written by psychotherapist Rachel Gunner and Disassociative Identity Disorder sufferer Hanna Gabriele, Beyond These Walls: The True Story of a Lost Child's Journey to a Whole Life is the true story of Hanna's struggle with 26 separate personalities that drove her to the point of attempting suicide. It was therapist Rachel Gunner's challenge to help Hanna find integration and wholeness in her life. Beyond These Walls is not written in the style of a clinical case study, but rather as a gentle, step-by-step recounting of Hanna's long journey toward healing and stability. A profound insight into coping with a life-shattering mental disorder, day by day.

Mark Reid
January, 2007
NewBookReviews

Beyond These Walls by Rachel Gunner and Hanna Gabriele gives the reader a unique and two sided view of therapy, from the vantage point of the therapist, on one hand, and from the patient on the other. The authors take us on an amazing journey from the depths of DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) to the wholeness of a single personality. Our eyes are opened to this debilitating disease and the trials faced by Hanna. This gripping true story gives new meaning to the words "hope" and "understanding." Mesmerizing, chilling and joyous, Beyond These Walls is a story about facing fears and recovering hope.

Michelle Dunn
January, 2007
Never Dunn Review

I believe this book will open the doors to educating people about DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) and the fear, despair, and pain that goes along with it. Rachel has done an outstanding job of sharing Hanna's story.

Joy Calderwood
December, 2006
Readers Choice Reviews

I was fascinated with BEYOND THESE WALLS. It is definitely not only for professionals. People who enjoy reading about internal odysseys toward health, especially multiple personality case histories, will find in it much that is new and satisfying. SYBIL, THE THREE FACES OF EVE, and WHEN RABBIT HOWLS were all bestsellers, and BEYOND THESE WALLS has just as much human interest.

Cheryl Ellis
December, 2006
Allbooks Reviews

I would not only highly recommend but encourage adults and health professionals to read this book. This is a haunting story that readers will not soon forget.

Beverly Pechin
November, 2006
Reader Views

This is the first time in my life I have ever read a book about DID/MPD and felt like I truly did understand what was going on and not just feeling the insanity part of the disease. Whether you get this understanding from the therapist's side or the patient's side I'm not sure, but I think the combination of the two together gives you a complete understanding like no other.

Nicole Villalpando
October 17, 2006

"Beyond These Walls" masterfully tells the story of the relationship between a woman and her therapist as they try to integrate the many personalities of this woman into one cohesive person. The book effectively gives both the client and the therapist a voice by alternating authors each chapter. It is both uplifting and disturbing, sweet and full of anger. You won't be able to put it down.

Leslie Hyland Rodgers
September 27, 2006

This book touched me very deeply. Not only is it beautifully written and well-constructed with alternate chapters written by therapist and client (so that you have both perspectives), but the story and the process of healing is truly mesmerizing. I simply could not put the book down! I read it straight through in 24 hours without taking time to sleep...I highly recommend this stunning and moving book with all my heart. It is proof that love and acceptance are the most powerful forms of healing. What an inspiration!